Thursday, February 13, 2014

The Varroa mite is a small mite (approximately 1mm in diameter) native to
Asia and the Asian honey bee (Apis Cerana) which has developed a
resistance to the mite enabling it to cope with it's presence. In the early part of the
twentieth century Russian beekeepers brought the European honey bee to the
Korean Peninsula via the Trans Siberian Railroad where it became the first
European honey bee (Apis Mellifera) infested with the Varroa. There are two types of Varroa mite, Japanese
and Korean of which the former Japanese has not as of yet spread to other parts
of the world. The Korean Varroa mite
mutated and adapted to the European honey bee which has no defense to it's
presence. Over the last 50 plus years
the Varroa has spread from country to country having reached North America
about 30 years ago. However, it did not
establish a stronghold until the last decade when it's presence became a
serious threat to the bees (both native and honey) in North America. The Varroa displays vampire like behavior
(blood sucking), is a carrier of 18 identified viruses (Including
Sacbrood, Acute Bee Paralysis, Deformed Wing Virus and Israel Acute Paralysis)
and is considered a major contributing factor along with pesticides in Colony Collapse Disorder.
The Varroa was named after Marcus Terentius Varro, a Roman scholar who was also a beekeeper (I expect he wouldn't be too happy about that).

Worldwide spread of the Varroa Mite

Australia remains the only beekeeping nation free of the Varroa destructor mite (Australia still Varroa free). In Canada the island portion of Newfoundland remains Varroa free.
There are many methods of treating your hives for mites such as the pesticides Apistan and Checkmite. As with all pesticides, the pests may adapt and therefore it is suggested that treatments be changed each year to prevent adaptation. Traces of the chemicals may remain and accumulate in the wax. This can weaken the bees immune system and makes them more susceptible to pathogens and pests.
There are also a number of organic mite treatments like drone brood removal, brood breaks (through natural splits), heating (see below), screened bottom boards, Formic (Mite Away Quick Strips) or Oxalic acid (Powerpoint by Randy Oliver), mineral oils (including thymol as crystals or Apiguard) and sugar dusting (Study by Randy Oliver). It is suggested that you use a combination of control measures.

While there are many proposed forms of bio control of Varroa (i.e. Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana ...) the predatory mites used to control Varroa are a species of Stratiolaelaps mites (Hypoaspis) which have been used for biological control in horticulture for over 15 years (Stratiolaelaps). This predator mite attacks the phoretic (adult) stages of the Varroa mite. The idea is that they can keep the Varroa population at a low level which does not significantly effect the colony. Unlike some chemicals Stratiolaelaps (Stratiolaelaps) can be used throughout the year (during the nectar season), there is no accumulation in the hive wax and presumably no adaptation by the Varroa.
The results from the early stages of testing of the use of Stratiolaelaps have been mixed. The "Niagara Beeway" in southern Ontario have reported positive results.

As part of the Bee Informed survey Brookfield Farm in northwest Washington State found Strateolaelaps did not reduce the population of Varroa in the bee colonies. Here is a great post by Brookfield Farm detailing the methods and results of predatory mite usage (Mites that might eat mites). The issues regarding the use of Stratiolaelaps are that they only works on adult bees (not the larvae where mite reproduction take place), do not work on heavily infested hives, are expensive and they leave the hive for their natural environment in the soil. An updated video from the Niagara Beeway contradicts some of these findings suggesting that there were no mites in the drone brood and Stratiolaelaps were breeding in the hive. I've not seen any studies since to support this. They also suggest that they may provide a solution for the small hive beetle. In the video Ham SS refers to Stratiolaelaps.

Phil Chandler, the "Barefoot Beekeeper" proposes the use of an "Eco Floor" in a Top Bar Hive in this case to provide a natural environment for predatory mites. The Eco Floor can be adapted to any style of hive.

"A simple modification to the floor of the horizontal (Kenyan-style) top
bar hive improves insulation, reduces air exchange at floor level and
creates an enclosed ecosystem designed to provide habitat for earwigs,
wood lice, moulds, fungi and myriad other flora and fauna that may be
found inside the average hollow log - the natural habitat of the
honeybee."

"No creature on Earth lives in isolation from all others.
All sorts of relationships develop between different species, many of
them mutually beneficial. Yet honeybees are usually housed in sterile,
wooden boxes with little opportunity to come into contact with the
myriad other bugs, beetles and bacteria found in their natural habitat:
hollow trees. Little is known about the effects on bees of other
organisms, but it seems reasonable to suppose that because they have
co-evolved with a whole range of other species over tens of millions of
years, they will have developed mutually beneficial relationships with
some of them." Phil Chandler

In this video Phil Chandler shows how the deep floor is made and how it can be
retro-fitted to any top bar hive.

As of yet Phil has not done any studies on long term resident population of Strateolaelaps in the hive (Eco Floor). The problems with the "Eco Floor" are the hive is generally warmer than the natural environment of Strateolaelaps (soil), there is no light in the hive to allow for plant growth (part of Strateolaelaps diet) and there is no evidence that Strateolaelaps will leave the soil and travel upwards through the frames to feed on Varroa.
In New Zealand there are preliminary studies being carried out on the use of Pseudoscorpions as predators of Varroa (Pseudoscorpion Study). There are also preliminry studies from the University of Warwick (England) (Varroa killing Fungi) on naturally occurring fungi that kill the varroa mite. They have narrowed the field down to four potential lethal fungi and are determining the method of delivery (i.e. foot bath, spray..). In addition mycological researcher Paul Stamets has found that mushrooms offer many benefits to bees including detoxification, immunity booster and disease control, and increased longevity of worker bees.

These graphs show the effects of mycelium fungi increasing bee survival rate and longevity

Further studies are being carried out and the product may be available to the market in the near future. Meanwhile watch for your bees feeding on fungi and consider planting some mushrooms in your apiary. In this video Paul Stamets explains the connection between mushrooms and bee health.

In Germany they are studying the use of mite sex pheremone to disrupt male sex activity and have found a significant reduction in mite reproduction.
For many years researchers have been studying the effects of heat on Varroa. At temperatures above 39 celsius (102 fahrenheit) mites suffer irreparable damage while bees can manage temeratures up to 45 celsius (113 fahrenheit).

There have been many marketed hive heaters from the inexpensive Mite Zapper , to the under hive mounted Hive Sauna to the Thermosolar Hive above ($650 U.S. plus shipping). To enable exacting heat control so as not to harm the bees expensive sophistication appears paramount. There is also the issue of honey deterioration at high temperatures. Heating honey to 37 celsius (98 fahrenheit) reduces nutritional value.
On a unrelated note a BYU undergraduate is working on a biocontrol of American Foulbrood. Phages (microscopic bugs) are used to kill the AFB bacteria.

“Phages are the most abundant life form on the planet and each phage has
a unique bacteria that it will attack,” said Sandra Burnett, BYU
professor of microbiology and molecular biology. “This makes phage an
ideal treatment for bacterial disease because it can target specific
bacteria while leaving all other cells alone.”

The trick is identifying the right phage. They have narrowed it down to 5 phages (Research article).

I believe the future of dealing with Varroa will be breeding for Varroa Sensitive Hygienic behavior (Breeding for Hygienic Behavior by Marla Spivak and Gary Reuter). Many including myself believe that the VSH behavior traits
are passed both genetically and through observed learning. In hives
with VSH behavior bees, bee pupae infected with mites are detected and
removed. Other VSH behavior traits include: more effective self
grooming; group grooming; guard bees removing mites from bees entering
the hive (either killing the mites or chasing them from the hive) and
bees using their mandibles to kill the mites. Decreased drone production
(most mite reproduction takes place in drone brood) and a higher
resistance to diseases (the diseases passed by the mites kill the bees
not the mites themselves) are also desirable breeding traits. While there are very positive results of breeding queens for VSH behavior the long term problem is the inability to flood the area breeding population (drones as well) with bees possessing VSH traits. It is important to remember that Asian
honey bees (Apis cerana), African honey bees (Apis mellifera
scutellata), Africanized honey bees (hybrid European and African) and a
strain of Russian honey bees display VSH behavior and are effectively resistant to
the varroa mite. Some believe that the unnaturally increased size of Apis Mellifera (carried out 100 years ago to increase honey production) hinders their attempts to remove the mites and the enlarged areas between body segments allows for mite penetration. If true this would support the beliefs of natural, small-cell beekeepers who also support the practice of non treatment. To this point there is no scientific, conclusive proof of this theory (some natural beekeepers would argue this). The video below shows bees displaying VSH behavior by removing mites (removal at the 2 minute point of the video).

For further information on hygienic behavior in honey bees go to the Hygienic Behavior section of our Beekeepers' Library.
While I don't profess to know the perfect solution this year I used Mite Away Quick Strips (naturally occurring formic acid) to control the varroa population at our apiary at Cottonwood Community Garden. I also advocate the natural splitting of colonies which serves to deter swarming and provides a month long bee brood break which creates a Varroa brood break as well. I hope that whatever method of mite defence you employ is successful and that you and your bees are healthy and happy.

"There is no other field of animal husbandry like
beekeeping. It has the appeal to the scientist, the nature lover, and even (or
especially) the philosopher. It is a chance to work with some of the most
fascinating of God's creatures, to spend time and do work in the great
outdoors, to challenge my abilities and continue to learn. My hope is that I
never become so frail with old age that I cannot spend my days among the bees.
It gives credence to the old saw that "the best things in life are free".
I thank God daily for the opportunity and privilege to be a beekeeper."

Monday, February 3, 2014

Most of the food we consume today is produced far away in large monoculture, agrochemical dependent farms. The environment created by these industrial farms is unhealthy for pollinators and us. A new U.N. report (U.N. Press Release) supports a shift from a system of
monoculture farming towards greater varieties of crops, reduced use of
fertilizers and agrochemicals and greater support for small-scale farmers. The report also supports more locally focused production and consumption of food (U.N. Report). In Greater Vancouver we are blessed with rich agricultural land along the Fraser River from Richmond to Chilliwack. However, this valuable resource has been disappearing at an alarming rate to non agricultural development. The Agricultural Land Commission was created in the 70's to protect farmland as an independent authority not subject to political or industry interference. In the fall of 2013 the BC provincial government announced plans to
“modernize” the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) that governs the ALR
in the province, which would remove the organization’s independent
status and bring it under the umbrella of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Decisions about land usage on the ALR would then be left to local
governments and the oil and gas industry. The same government that supports a pipeline from the tar sands of Alberta to our west coast would be in control of preserving our remaining farmland.

On Febrary10th the "Family Day Rally - To Save the Agricultural Land Reserve" will be held at the B.C. Legislature Grounds. For more information go to The Farmland Protection Coalition (Facebook) or support the ALR by letting Premier Christy Clark and your MLA know how important you feel farmland preservation is (Contact information).
An amazing example of local, organic food production is the "Urban Homestead" in Pasedena, California. On just one tenth of an acre 15 minutes from downtown Los Angeles the Dervais family produce 3200 kilograms of organic produce annually on their city farm which includes ducks, chickens, goat and bees. Their livestock provide eggs, milk and honey for their vegetarian diet and they use alternative fuels like biodiesel, pedal power and solar panels.

This year I am growing food and raising bees for the local foodbank. I am always amazed by the amount of food you can grow on a small parcel of land. Growing food is empowering and tasty and benefits our bees by providing good, organic forage. I encourage everyone to grow food. If you don't have land join a community garden or guerilla garden. The City of Vancouver is encouraging the formation of new community gardens. Here is a list of the 75 community gardens in Vancouver and the contact information for those gardens (Grow).

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Free Course

Ohio State University has created a free honey bee biology and beekeeping course based on Dr. Reed Johnson's for-credit OSU Beekeeping Course. The free course consists of video lectures, handouts and readings presented on iTunes which is a free download. The course is extensive and consists of 138 segments covering every aspect of bees and beekeeping. To access this course click on the image above.

Strathcona Beekeepers

The Strathcona Beekeepers meet on the last Sunday of each month during the bee season. Everyone is welcome. For more information on the meetings or our community Beekeeping Coop contact us at strathconabeeatgmaidotcom.